Today (5th March): Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren faces a court summons over alleged non-compliance with Enforcement Directorate summonses related to a money laundering investigation linked to a land grab case. Soren, currently under judicial custody, is directed to appear before the court on April 3. The case highlights his failure to cooperate with the probe.
The Calcutta High Court Today has reserved its order on the Enforcement Directorate’s prayer to transfer the investigation from West Bengal Police to CBI regarding an attack on ED officials during a raid on TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh. Allegations of bias against state police were raised, and the CBI has expressed readiness to undertake the investigation if directed by the court.
Manish Sisodia, an AAP leader, has urged Today to the Supreme Court for an expedited hearing of his two curative petitions, challenging the court’s ruling denying him bail in corruption and money laundering cases related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scandal. Sisodia’s bail plea was deferred by a Delhi court due to a pending application before the Supreme Court, leading to further legal complications.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has responded Today to the eighth summons from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding a money laundering investigation into irregularities concerning the Delhi excise policy case. Despite contesting the legality of the summons, he is willing to cooperate, proposing a date after March 12. The ED insists on physical interrogation, setting March 4 as the date. Two AAP leaders are already in custody due to this case.
Today, the Jharkhand HC Rejected a petition submitted by Ex-CM Hemant Soren, requesting authorization to partake in the assembly’s budget session. A panel led by Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad had deliberated on the issue since February 26, following extensive arguments presented by Senior Counsel Kapil Sibal, representing Soren, and ASG of India SV Raju, acting on behalf of ED.
Supreme Court: “State’s Writ Petition Deemed Misguided”. Today (February 27), the Supreme Court halted the enforcement and implementation of an interim order from the Madras High Court that had suspended the summonses sent to district collectors in Tamil Nadu regarding alleged illegal sand mining-money laundering cases.
The Jharkhand High Court made a significant observation on PMLA cases, stating that individuals involved in money laundering activities post the initial crime may not necessarily need to be accused of the scheduled offense. The court rejected anticipatory bail for a petitioner in a related case, highlighting the seriousness of the offense and shedding light on PMLA complexities.
“ED Can’t Investigate Predicate Offences”: TN Govt.; Today, February 26, the Supreme Court persisted in its thorough inquiry into the Tamil Nadu government’s authority to contest summonses from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) directed at district collectors concerning purported illegal sand mining and money laundering incidents.
The Delhi High Court issued a stay against a ruling that required the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to return seized property if an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act exceeds 365 days without resulting in a prosecution complaint. The Division Bench granted the stay while the appeal is pending until the next hearing on March 11.
Former NCB zonal director, Sameer Wankhede, faces a money laundering case over an alleged Rs 25 crore bribe demand in the Aryan Khan drug case. The Bombay High Court has granted him protection from arrest until March 1. Wankhede has also challenged the case, alleging malice and vendetta due to his prior complaint against NCB officials.